Paul FlahiveNPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94Water, essential for life, is our most precious and valuable natural resource, but water supply is limited and under increasing pressure from a growing population. How will we protect this resource and plan for a sustainable future? There is a great need for a water-literate public; decisions being made today have far reaching and long lasting effects for our children and future generations. The Texas Water Symposium series provides perspectives from policy makers, scientists, water resource experts and regional leaders. Join us as we explore together, the complexity and challenges in providing water for Texans in this century. Each session is free and open to the public. The Texas Water Symposium is presented through a partnership with the Hill Country Alliance, Schreiner University, Texas Tech University and Texas Public Radio.NPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94Texas Water SymposiumSun, 18 Mar 2018 23:09:08 +0000Texas Water Symposiumhttp://tpr.org
Texas Water SymposiumDeclining aquifer levels and the rapidly rising cost of water supply and management has prompted suppliers, builders, and homeowners across the region to turn to alternative sources of water. As we look to a long-term future of increasing population growth and demand on groundwater resources, how can individuals, businesses, and cities create sustainable water supply in innovative ways? How can we incentivize water independence and conservation? Increasingly, these stakeholders are turning to rainwater as a viable source of water for landscape irrigation, in-home and commercial uses. Cities are now utilizing rainwater harvesting as an innovative stormwater management strategy. Texas, and the Hill Country, is known as a region of rainwater harvesting innovation nationwide. This panel discussion was recorded on December 7, 2017 at the Boerne Public Library. Moderator: Bob Webster Panelists: Rep. Jason Isaac, State Representative District 21 John Kight, Kendall County rainwater advocateRainwater Harvesting: Innovative Uses And Water Securityhttp://tpr.org/post/rainwater-harvesting-innovative-uses-and-water-security
100119 as http://tpr.orgMon, 05 Feb 2018 16:41:02 +0000Rainwater Harvesting: Innovative Uses And Water SecurityTexas Water SymposiumThe state’s expanding population, coupled with more extreme flooding events and drought cycles, is creating short-term management challenges and long-term planning uncertainty. We rely on prevailing climate patterns to plan for development, agriculture, and ranching, but those patterns are changing. On Thursday, November 9, the Texas Water Symposium opened its tenth season on the campus of Schreiner University in Kerrville by directly addressing for the first time the topic of climate change with a panel of scientists, agriculture experts and researchers. Hear the full panel discussion in the audio link below. Moderator: Weir LaBatt, Former Director of the Texas Water Development Board Panelists: Dr. John Nielsen-Gammon, Texas State Climatologist and Regents Professor at Texas A&M John Zeitler, Science & Operations Officer, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Suzanne Scott, GM, San Antonio River Authority; Chairperson, Region L Water Planning Group andClimate And Water: Planning For A Changing Resourcehttp://tpr.org/post/climate-and-water-planning-changing-resource
95926 as http://tpr.orgMon, 13 Nov 2017 21:51:57 +0000Climate And Water: Planning For A Changing ResourceTexas Water SymposiumInvasive Arundo cane, Zebra Mussels, and Hydrilla are among a host of aquatic plants and animals that are not native to Texas and compete with our native animals and plants for food and space. Because introduced species lack natural enemies in our waterways, they can multiply and spread at an alarming rate, interfering with boat traffic, affecting water quality and quantity, and causing a range of other problems. Recorded at the Texas Water Symposium on April 27, Tim Birdsong, aquatic biologist and Ecosystem/Habitat Assessment Chief of Inland Fisheries for Texas Parks and Wildlife moderates a panel of invasive species specialists in a discussion of invasives in the Hill Country, their potential costs to native wildlife and infrastructure, approaching threats, and the most effective ways for the Hill Country to protect our waterways. The Texas Water Symposium is a joint presentation of Texas Public Radio, the Hill Country Alliance, Schreiner University, and Texas Tech University.The Impact Of Invasive Species On Texas Water Resourceshttp://tpr.org/post/impact-invasive-species-texas-water-resources
86393 as http://tpr.orgWed, 03 May 2017 20:09:08 +0000The Impact Of Invasive Species On Texas Water Resources“God just gave us so much water. We can't make it, it's just there. But we’re making more people.” Such as it was plainly stated by Mike Bira at the latest Texas Water Symposium , held on February 23, 2017 on the campus of Texas State University in San Marcos. The panel discussion focused on watershed protection programs at a city and community level. Bira, an environmental scientist with the EPA, laid out the issues facing our waterways nationwide, stating “there are about 3.6 million river miles in the country. There are about 42 million surface acres of lakes. Nationwide we monitor 40% [of these water sources]. The ones that are assessed, about 40-45% of the streams and lakes are impaired.” Bira noted that pharmaceuticals are becoming an increasingly present pollutant in streams and lakes. Tylenol, birth control medication… it all shows up in trace amounts. “More than half of the waterways are on their way to being impaired,” echoed Meredith Miller, from the Meadows Center for WaterProtecting Water Supplies At The Local Levelhttp://tpr.org/post/protecting-water-supplies-local-level
83267 as http://tpr.orgTue, 28 Feb 2017 23:50:58 +0000Protecting Water Supplies At The Local LevelThe legal challenges that come with private property rights and Texas’ growing need for water were the topic of the most recent Texas Water Symposium, held on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin. Texas expected to double in population growth over the next 40-50 years, with most of the growth in cities, said Dr. Jay Banner in opening remarks before the panel. “Where will all these people—twice as many people as there currently are—get the water that they need?” he asked, noting the historic drought conditions the state has also endured. The panel’s moderator, Suzanne Schwartz, offered additional background, pointing out the fact that Texas owns the surface water of the state, but groundwater is privately owned. That has a lot of consequences, she said, including issues of private property rights against uncompensated takings. Listen to the below audio for: The differences between resources like oil & gas, and water Whether Texas will be able to meet its water needs forPopulation Growth Puts Pressure On Texas' Water Sourceshttp://tpr.org/post/population-growth-puts-pressure-texas-water-sources
78356 as http://tpr.orgFri, 11 Nov 2016 23:07:17 +0000Population Growth Puts Pressure On Texas' Water SourcesTexas Water SymposiumThey may be small, but micro flora and fauna play a significant role in the ecosystem of Texas waterways. At the Texas Water Symposium on Thursday, September 1 in Kerrville, a panel of educators, researchers and ecologists shared their insights on the impact of human development on these small creatures, and explained their role in keeping our rivers and streams healthy. In the audio, you’ll learn in detail: Why our waters aren’t murky with fish poop. (Hint: small microorganisms help break down any potential buildup.) Whether it’s safe to drink water from streams, rivers and lakes. (It won’t kill you, but it’s not recommended.) The impact of pollutants on fresh-water mussels. The difference between urban and rural fresh-water quality, animal and plant life. All about brain-eating amoebas. They're scary--but very, very rare. Good advice: Don’t swim in where the water maintains a generally warm temperature, and “don’t swim in water with a lot of algae, or funky smelling water,” says TaraHow Micro-Flora & Fauna Contribute To Water Qualityhttp://tpr.org/post/how-micro-flora-fauna-contribute-water-quality
75312 as http://tpr.orgWed, 07 Sep 2016 13:50:39 +0000Texas Water Symposium“If you can’t cook ‘em, eat ‘em, or shoot ‘em, what the heck good are they?” was the subtext of a panel discussion held on the campus of Texas Tech University-Junction on May 18, 2016. The Golden-cheeked Warbler, several species of mussels, and Monarch butterflies were all brought up in the context of conservation and concerns over development in the Texas Hill Country. “What if we didn’t have the Endangered Species Act?” Dr. Tom Arsuffi asked at one point. “What would happen? Somebody has done a study, and there would be an 18% decline in the global economic output by the year 2050.” Arsuffi drew direct lines between conservation and economic development. “The benefits [of conservation] outweigh the costs one hundred fold,” he added. Arsuffi cited Robert Costanza’s 2014 study that estimates global ecosystem services at $125 trillion per year. In the audio link below, learn more about: The economic impact of Texas rivers and lakes The history of the Endangered Species Act The status ofExploring The Economic Impact Of Conservationhttp://tpr.org/post/exploring-economic-impact-conservation
69890 as http://tpr.orgThu, 19 May 2016 19:57:05 +0000Exploring The Economic Impact Of ConservationWhether the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer can meet the needs of a growing population in Texas was the question of the night at the Texas Water Symposium held on February 11, 2016 on the Texas State University campus in San Marcos. Texas State’s Geography Department, the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, and the Hill Country Alliance brought a group of aquifer scientists together to explore the topic. George Rice, a groundwater hydrologist with over 30 years of experience, noted early on that the draw on the aquifer from the four counties east of Austin alone is expected to increase “from around 25,000 acre-feet per year in the year 2000 to around 200,000 acre-feet per year in 2060.” Moderator Dr. Robert Mace asked, “Can the aquifer produce at that rate?” Hydrogeologist James Bené said the answer is yes, noting the aquifer holds hundreds of millions of acre-feet of water, ten times as much as all of Texas’ lakes put together. “It’s certainly true that the aquifer contains a hugeCan The Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer Serve The Long-Term Needs Of A Thirsty Region?http://tpr.org/post/can-carrizo-wilcox-aquifer-serve-long-term-needs-thirsty-region
64969 as http://tpr.orgFri, 12 Feb 2016 16:58:05 +0000Can The Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer Serve The Long-Term Needs Of A Thirsty Region?Texas Water SymposiumWater is intimately connected to the human experience. It weaves into and out of our individual and collective human lives. Precisely because it is so interwoven in our lives, water frequently becomes part of the most important narratives that we tell about ourselves and our human experience. Water is there at the moment of creation; it is there at the moment of devastation; and it is there as we navigate the more subtle moments of our lives. This presentation by the Texas Water Symposium takes a detour from discussing policy to explore how water becomes embedded in the narratives that we tell about our everyday life and our communities. In doing so, we learn why it is difficult to be ambivalent about water and why water has been—and will remain—the stuff of history, legend, and stories. Presenters (in order of appearance): Dr. David Taylor , Visiting Assistant Professor of Sustainability, Stony Brook University Joe Herring, Jr. , Kerr County and Hill Country Historian, Columnist Dr.Stories Of Texas Waterhttp://tpr.org/post/stories-texas-water
60501 as http://tpr.orgFri, 13 Nov 2015 18:15:19 +0000Stories Of Texas WaterThe ousted author of a study that describes a controversial San Antonio water supply project as “high risk” squared off with the head of the city’s water utility Wednesday, questioning — among other things — whether an extra 16 billion gallons of water per year would diminish the city’s pioneering water conservation programs. San Antonio’s most recent water management plan suggests that such programs will cease in 2020, said Calvin Finch during a panel discussion moderated by The Texas Tribune's Neena Satija. The former San Antonio Water System employee’s last assignment at the Texas A&M Institute of Renewable Resources was a city-commissioned study examining its long-term water supply that at times describes the $3.4 billion Vista Ridge project as “innovative” and important to the city’s water future, but also one that could be detrimental to the water supplies of surrounding communities. Finch, a former conservation director at SAWS, pointed out that 2020 "coincidentally is theSAWS Defends Vista Ridgehttp://tpr.org/post/saws-defends-vista-ridge
59304 as http://tpr.orgThu, 22 Oct 2015 14:39:14 +0000SAWS Defends Vista RidgeTexas Water SymposiumDifficult decisions lie ahead as urban areas demand more water, rural areas experience loss of spring flow, and our region faces increased challenges brought by population growth and drought. Are Central Texas’ water planning processes on track to balance the needs of its rural and urban users and protect the natural water resources that sustain our ecologic and economic health? Our panelists discuss their experiences with water planning processes; what’s working and what needs to improve. This panel was recorded on November 20, 2014 on the campus of Schreiner University in Kerrville. Please note: Audio for this program is incomplete. Moderator: State Representative-Elect Andrew Murr, House District 53, Hill Country Counties include: Bandera, Crockett, Edwards, Kerr, Kimble, Llano, Mason, Medina, Menard, Real, Schleicher and Sutton Panelists: Suzanne B. Scott, General Manager of the San Antonio River Authority, and Chairman of the Guadalupe/San Antonio Bay and Basin StakeholderBalancing Rural And Urban Water Needshttp://tpr.org/post/balancing-rural-and-urban-water-needs
41851 as http://tpr.orgTue, 25 Nov 2014 05:49:12 +0000Balancing Rural And Urban Water NeedsTexas Water SymposiumThe Pedernales River runs 106 miles through the Hill Country before eventually joining the Colorado River at Lake Travis. Its catchment area—the land that drains into the river—touches 8 counties and covers more than 800,000 acres. The basin provides habitat for numerous fish and wildlife, supports agricultural, ranching and hunting pursuits, and contributes 23% of the flow into Lake Travis, providing a critical source of drinking water for downstream users such as the City of Austin. How can we understand the economic, social and ecological value of such a diverse river, and how does the health of the river reflect land management decisions made in the far corners of its basin? What are the major threats to the water quality and quantity as the region sees steady population growth, land fragmentation and changing land uses? This edition of the Texas Water Symposium addresses these questions. The panel's moderator was Dr. Andrew Sansom, Director, Meadows Center for Water and theChallenges Facing The Pedernales Basinhttp://tpr.org/post/challenges-facing-pedernales-basin
29056 as http://tpr.orgThu, 27 Mar 2014 22:08:44 +0000Challenges Facing The Pedernales BasinTexas Water SymposiumAs we struggle to meet water resource challenges, what is the proper role that government should play regarding land development and other traditionally unregulated issues, in order to protect stream flows and the private property rights of landowners? All are potentially impacted by water marketing and increased withdrawals from aquifers. Stay tuned for the Texas Water Symposium, presented by the Hill Country Alliance, Schreiner University, and Texas Tech University, and recorded on the campus of Schreiner University in Kerrville. The panel features Joseph B.C. Fitzsimons, Sharlene Leurig and Real County Judge Garry Merritt. The moderator of the discussion, Weir Labatt, introduces each speaker throughout the program.Texas Water Symposium: Private Property Rightshttp://tpr.org/post/texas-water-symposium-private-property-rights
21153 as http://tpr.orgThu, 31 Oct 2013 19:48:50 +0000Texas Water Symposium: Private Property RightsTexas Water SymposiumRemoving one Cedar tree from your property can keep 40 gallons of water in the ground per day; that's 14,600 gallons per year of a resource that is becoming less and less available as much of the state continues to be in drought conditions. This statistic was read off by Dr. Tom Arsuffi at the March 8th meeting of the Texas Water Symposium entitled Texas Springs: Making Connections between Groundwater, Surface Water, Science and Stewardship at the Llano Field Campus of Texas Tech University in Junction, Texas.Where The Water Comes Fromhttp://tpr.org/post/where-water-comes
7736 as http://tpr.orgFri, 15 Mar 2013 14:22:23 +0000Where The Water Comes FromTexas Water SymposiumThe final panel discussion of the 2011-2012 Texas Water Symposium series discusses the Texas State Supreme Court ruling in Edwards Aquifer Authority vs. Day. The series is a joint project of Texas Tech University, Schreiner University, the Hill Country Alliance and Texas Public Radio. Moderating the panel discussion is Evan Smith, editor-in-chief and CEO of the Texas Tribune. On the panel are Russell Johnson and Tom Mason, attorneys from Austin and Greg Ellis an attorney in Houston. All three have experience in Texas water law. The event was held on May 17, 2012 in Stieren Theatre on the campus of Trinity University in San Antonio.Edwards Aquifer Authority v. Dayhttp://tpr.org/post/edwards-aquifer-authority-v-day
17584 as http://tpr.orgSun, 03 Jun 2012 20:47:24 +0000Edwards Aquifer Authority v. DayTexas Water SymposiumIn the third of four panel discussions of the 2011-2012 Texas Water Symposium, "Fracking and the Energy/Water Nexus" is the title of the topic being discussed. The new oil and gas deposits found through the process of what is known as fracking has brought an economic boom to the South Texas area. The Texas Water Symposium is a joint project of Texas Tech University, Schreiner University, The Hill Country Alliance and Texas Public Radio. This panel discussion was held on April 12, 2012 on the campus of Schreiner University in Kerrville, Texas. Moderating the program is Tim Summerlin, President of Schreiner University.Texas Water Symposium: Frackinghttp://tpr.org/post/texas-water-symposium-fracking
17582 as http://tpr.orgSun, 22 Apr 2012 20:34:55 +0000Texas Water Symposium: FrackingTexas Water SymposiumThis was the second in the series of panel discussions of the 2011-2012 Texas Water Symposium. Moderating the discussion is Tim Birdsong, Chief of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Freshwater Habitat Conservation Branch. On the panel are Dr. Kevin Wagner, Associate Director of the Texas Water Resource Institute; Aaron Wendt, Statewide Watershed Planning Coordinator for the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board; Dr. Gary Garnett, Director of the Watershed Policy and Management Program of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department; Dr. Tom Arsuffi, Director of the Llano River Field Station at Texas Tech University at Junction, Texas and Christy Muse, Executive Director of the Hill Country Alliance. The Texas Water Symposium is a joint project of Texas Tech University, Schreiner University, the Hill Country Alliance and Texas Public Radio.Healthy Watersheds: Managing Natural Water Storage & Filtration Systemshttp://tpr.org/post/healthy-watersheds-managing-natural-water-storage-filtration-systems
17581 as http://tpr.orgSun, 01 Apr 2012 20:22:26 +0000Texas Water SymposiumThe 2011-12 Texas Water Symposium series begins with a panel discussion about Texas' current drought. "Drought: What, Why and When will it end?" is the title of the panel discussion which covers a look at the impact the drought has on agriculture, wildlife, the economy and the environment. The TWS is a joint project of Schreiner University, Texas Tech University, the Hill Country Alliance and Texas Public Radio. The event was held on the Texas Tech University campus at Junction, Texas.Drought: What, Why & When Will It End?http://tpr.org/post/drought-what-why-when-will-it-end
17577 as http://tpr.orgSun, 23 Oct 2011 20:15:16 +0000Texas Water SymposiumThe last session of the 2010-2011 Texas Water Symposium series was held at the Floyd and Kathleen Cailloux Campus Activity Center on the campus of Schreiner University. On the panel are Dr. Robert Brischetto, cleanup coordinator for the Medina River Protection Fund; Tyson Broad with the South Llano River Watershed Alliance; and Dianne Wassenich, Executive Director of the San Marcos River Foundation. Moderating the discussion is Andrew Sansom, Executive Director of the River Systems Institute at Texas State University. Opening the program is Tom Arsuffi, Director of the Llano River Field Station at Texas Tech University Center in Junction, Texas.River Watch Programs And Activities: How Local Communities Take Care Of Their Rivers And Waterhttp://tpr.org/post/river-watch-programs-and-activities-how-local-communities-take-care-their-rivers-and-water
16902 as http://tpr.orgThu, 31 Mar 2011 15:00:33 +0000River Watch Programs And Activities: How Local Communities Take Care Of Their Rivers And WaterTexas Water SymposiumThe third in a series of four panel discussions of the Texas Water Symposium explores the complexities and challenges in providing water for Texans in the 21st century. The event was held at the Witte Museum in San Antonio. The panel includes Les Shephard, Director of the University of Texas at San Antonio Institute for Conventional, Alternative and Renewable Energy; Carey King, Ph.D., with the Center for International Energy and Environmental Policy; and John Brocksch, Managing Partner and CEO of the Aquifer Group. Tom Arsuffi, with Texas Tech University opens the program.Complexities And challenges In Providing Water For Texans In The 21st centuryhttp://tpr.org/post/complexities-and-challenges-providing-water-texans-21st-century
16898 as http://tpr.orgThu, 27 Jan 2011 14:40:39 +0000Complexities And challenges In Providing Water For Texans In The 21st century